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Standard Index GroupThe End of Life PlannerUnited States by Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney · Valoren is a publisher, not a law firm.

Free · general informationUnited States

Retirement accounts and life insurance

Retirement accounts and life insurance are the kinds of property the official bodies describe as passing by the beneficiary form. These are their own words on the form, on claiming from a plan, and on the proceeds.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 16, 2026

Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

The beneficiary form, and the will

Upon death, your beneficiary designations will go into effect and can no longer be changed, so it’s important to make sure they’re consistent with your wishes.

FINRA · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Some retirement plans require specific beneficiaries under the terms of the plan (such as a spouse or child).

Internal Revenue Service · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Designating a beneficiary can be very helpful, but be aware that a TOD plan or other beneficiary document supersedes your will.

FINRA · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Claiming from a workplace plan or an IRA

Beneficiaries should contact the plan administrator for distributions from a qualified plan.

Beneficiaries of retirement plan and IRA accounts after the death of the account owner are subject to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules.

Internal Revenue Service · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Life insurance proceeds, and who is named

Naming individuals rather than an estate allows those individuals to receive the proceeds immediately and, generally, without taxation. As part of your estate, however, proceeds typically will go through probate with the rest of your assets and might be subject to estate taxes.

Your will does not affect the distribution of your life insurance proceeds unless the sum goes to your estate to be divided according to the will.

Primary beneficiaries receive a portion or the whole policy benefit if they outlive you. Contingent beneficiaries (also referred to as secondary beneficiaries) receive proceeds if a primary beneficiary dies before you.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners · general information · checked October 16, 2026

FAQ

Common questions

Upon death, your beneficiary designations will go into effect and can no longer be changed, so it’s important to make sure they’re consistent with your wishes.

Designating a beneficiary can be very helpful, but be aware that a TOD plan or other beneficiary document supersedes your will.

FINRA · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Some retirement plans require specific beneficiaries under the terms of the plan (such as a spouse or child).

Internal Revenue Service · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Beneficiaries should contact the plan administrator for distributions from a qualified plan.

Beneficiaries of retirement plan and IRA accounts after the death of the account owner are subject to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules.

Internal Revenue Service · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Naming individuals rather than an estate allows those individuals to receive the proceeds immediately and, generally, without taxation. As part of your estate, however, proceeds typically will go through probate with the rest of your assets and might be subject to estate taxes.

Your will does not affect the distribution of your life insurance proceeds unless the sum goes to your estate to be divided according to the will.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Primary beneficiaries receive a portion or the whole policy benefit if they outlive you. Contingent beneficiaries (also referred to as secondary beneficiaries) receive proceeds if a primary beneficiary dies before you.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners · general information · checked October 16, 2026